approach the Source of life and gain his favor must also keep themselves clean physically, morally and spiritually; they must offer the best of their service to Jehovah and with good motive; they must undertake duties and responsibilities in God’s congregation with joy and appreciation; they must be firm for right worship; they must keep themselves clear of unnecessary association with worldly persons; they must always approach opportunities of Kingdom service with reverence and wakefulness; they must use all of Jehovah’s provisions for them in a way that honors the Giver; they must be prepared to speak out the message of God clearly and understandably to others; they must be prepared to devote themselves and their possessions to the furthering of Kingdom interests, while, of course, making proper and reasonable provision for those dependent upon them. Jehovah calls upon all of his worshipers to live up to the same high standard set forth in his written Word.

22. By what, then, are those called to the heavenly priesthood recognized, and how does this affect all other sincere worshipers?

²² Jehovah’s provision of a holy priesthood under Christ, the great High Priest, is made so that all who will may come and receive education for life. (Rev. 22:17) In a typical manner he disclosed the regulations that would govern such a body of heavenly priests. He also provided shadow pictures of the process by which he would empower that priesthood for effectual service. This he did in order to build up our confidence in the existence and authority of such a priesthood. How grand to realize that we have a fully installed and powerful High Priest with his assisting body of priests to aid us in all of our weaknesses and problems so that we can approach and at last stand approved before the pure and holy One, Jehovah!

Kindness Conquers Prejudice

● The apostle Paul advised Christians: “Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good.” (Rom. 12:21) The practicalness of this counsel is seen in the experience had by one of Jehovah’s witnesses in Ghana, Africa, who did not let evil embitter and harden him. He applied the Bible’s instructions, and this is what happened:

While going from door to door, he met a woman who heaped insults upon him, claiming that Jehovah’s witnesses are nothing but book sellers. She refused to listen to any explanation that he attempted to offer her and gruffly drove him off. The Witness left peacefully without any attempt to retaliate or answer her sharply. Later he happened to meet a little boy who was crying because his little friends did not share some of their sweets with him. Touched to the heart, the minister lovingly bought some sweets for him. Unknown to the Witness, this little lad was the son of the woman who had just insulted him so strongly at her door.

When the boy arrived home, he showed the sweets to his mother and explained that one of Jehovah’s witnesses had kindly given them to him. This caused the woman to feel very ashamed of her antagonistic and rude attitude so that she immediately went in search of the minister and apologized for her past rudeness. The minister took advantage of this opportunity to explain the Bible’s message, and a Bible study was arranged and conducted in her home regularly. Today this woman is a dedicated servant of Jehovah God. Kindness triumphed over prejudice.